<center> # PSY490: Current Topics in Neuroscience ## Jennet Baumbach #### Sept 8th 2023  --- # PSY490 Seminar: Current topics in neuroscience -- ### - General Class Format: -- - Scheduled time slot Fridays 12-3pm -- + 1hr + lecture (from me) + 1.5 hour article summary / discussion (student-led) -- ### - primarilly a seminar style course -- - discussion is encouraged at any time! Please interject by raising your hand :) -- ### - Make nametags, address eachother by name as much as possible --- # Class Format Today: -- - ### Introductions :) -- - ### Review the syllabus -- + Explicitly break down deliverables and grading expectations -- - ### Select presentation partners and weeks to present --- # Introductions -- - No fun facts! -- ### 1. Name (& preferred pronouns if you wish) -- ### 2. Major & year of study -- ### 3. Reason for taking this course --- # Grade Breakdown -- ## 1. 20% - Seminar participation -- ## 2. 30% - Presentation -- ## 3. 25% - In-class test -- ## 4. 25% - Final assignment --- # Grade Breakdown -- ## 1. 20% - Seminar participation -- - 10% - Attendance -- - 10% - Participation -- + Both *quality* and *quantity* of contributions to seminar discussions are considered in marks. -- **You must sign in to get marks for attendance to seminar!** -- - I will note contributions to discussion throughout the class -- - Student contributions are more important than anything I have to contribute to seminar discussion -- ### There is no ceiling for seminar marks!! --- # Grade Breakdown -- ## 2. 30% - Presentation -- - In *pairs*, you will summarize and lead a discussion on a recent neuroscience journal article. -- - I will return your grade & presentation feedback the week after your presentation. -- - Rubric is available to you online to review prior to your presentation. --- -- <img src="data:image/png;base64,#Week_1_Slideshow_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-1-1.png" width="75%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- # Grade Breakdown -- ## 3. 25% in-class test -- - Date: October 27th (after reading week). + No lecture or class afterwards -- - Intended to evaluate comprehension of neuroscience research techniques & approaches that were discussed during seminar. -- - Grades will be returned before the drop deadline (Nov 6th). -- - No tricksy questions; will likely be heavily fill-in-the-blank. -- - Content will come from class lectures (slides and discussion) and from the weekly assigned articles (both content and class discussion). --- # Grade Breakdown -- ## 4. 25% Written Assignment -- - Due Dec. 7th (last day of classes) -- + Submissions will be accepted ahead of time -- - Reviewer-style write-up on the same article that you presented during seminar. -- + 2-3 page write up summarizing and commenting on the article that you used for your presentation. -- - You may feel free to incorperate the seminar discussion on your topic into your write up. -- - I will ensure that a detailed rubric is available to you well in advance of the assignment deadline. --- # Questions about grades? --- # Course topics -- ### Techniques-focused -- - Most current high-level papers in neuroscience involve many complicated techniques -- - Understanding *how* and *why* the researchers are choosing their approaches is foundational to current neuroscience -- + And to evaluating the author's methodological approach. -- #### Combinations of sophistocated techniques *is* current neuroscience -- - The goal of this course is to build a strong technical understanding of available tools -- + and how they can be applied to neuroscience research. --- # Course topics -- - Intended to build upon one another -- - First half of the course (up until the test - Oct 27 / Week 7), the focus will be on *output* measures in neuroscience -- 1. Behaviour 2. Post-morterm analysis of brain tissue 3. Electrical recordings from brain cells -- - Second half of the course will focus on more complex papers that involve combinations of techniques. --- <img src="data:image/png;base64,#Week_1_Slideshow_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-2-1.png" width="65%" style="display: block; margin: auto;" />